Stop the water
Close the main shutoff valve. It is usually where the water line enters the building, often in a basement, crawl space, garage, utility closet or near the water heater. For one fixture, close the small valve under it.
Burst pipe, active leak, or sewer backup?
An emergency plumbing problem is water or sewage going where it should not, right now. Stop the water first, keep people away from wet electrical items, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent plumber does the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes for a burst or leaking pipe, an overflowing toilet or fixture, a leaking water heater, no water, or sewage coming up through drains.
Is this urgent?Yes if water is still flowing, is reaching ceilings, floors or electrical equipment, or if sewage is backing up. A gas smell is a 911 or gas-utility call first.
What do I do next?Close the main water shutoff if you can reach it safely. Then call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code and what you see.
Not sure what failed? Describe it in plain words: where the water is coming from, whether it is clean or dirty, and whether it has stopped. Specific pages: burst pipe, sewage backup, water heater, frozen pipe.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
The first 10 minutes
Make the area safe
Do not walk through water near outlets, power strips or appliances. If the electrical panel is dry and safe to reach, switch off circuits for the wet rooms.
Limit the damage
Move valuables and electronics, put down towels and buckets, and take photos and video of the water and the source before cleanup starts.
If you cannot find or turn the main valve, call 833-877-1717 anyway and say so. That changes how urgent the request is.
When it is not a plumbing call first
Smell gas or rotten eggs? Leave the building and call 911 or the gas utility from outside. Water touching the electrical panel, sparking, or a ceiling bulging with water means keep everyone out of that area. Sewage contact is a health hazard: keep children and pets away.
Common plumbing emergencies
Burst or split pipe
Water spraying or pouring from a pipe, often after a freeze or from a failed fitting. See burst pipe repair.
Sewage coming up through drains
Dirty water in tubs, showers or floor drains, usually a main-line blockage. See sewage backup.
Water heater leaking
Water around the tank or the relief valve discharging. See water heater repair.
Toilet or fixture overflowing
Close the valve behind the toilet and stop flushing. If several drains back up at once, the main sewer line may be blocked.
Plumbing repair and water cleanup are two jobs
The plumber
Finds and fixes the failed pipe, valve, fixture or drain line and restores water service.
Water damage restoration
Removes standing water and dries walls, floors and ceilings. Materials left wet for more than a day or two can start growing mold. If water has spread, say so on the call. See water damage restoration.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, and whether it is a home or a business
- Where the water is coming from, if you can see it
- Whether the water is still running or you shut it off
- Clean water, or sewage or dirty water
- Rooms and floors affected, and any water near electrical equipment
- Who can let the plumber in
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles emergency plumbing in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Emergency plumbing questions
Can I call an emergency plumber at night or on a weekend?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Where is my main water shutoff valve?
Usually where the water line enters the building: a basement wall, crawl space, garage, utility room, or near the water heater. In warm climates it may be outside near the foundation. Some homes also have a curb valve near the street that the water utility controls.
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Water that will not stop, water reaching ceilings or electrical equipment, sewage backing up, a leaking water heater, or losing all water. A slow drip or a slow drain can usually wait for a scheduled visit.
Should I turn off the water heater too?
If the main water is off for more than a short time, it is common to turn off the water heater as well: switch off its breaker if it is electric, or set the gas control to off or pilot. That protects the heater while no water is coming in.
Does RepairNowUSA send its own plumbers?
No. RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Independent plumbers diagnose, price and do the work, and they set their own availability.
How much does an emergency plumber cost?
Prices are set by the independent provider and vary by area, time of day and the repair. Ask for the call-out fee and an estimate before you approve the work.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.